Catholic Commission for Social Justice
World Humanitarian Day, celebrated on August 19, was designated by the United Nations General Assembly to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq. Since then the day has been used to recognise firstly those who face danger and adversity in order to help others.
Last week we looked at our role as Catholics in relation to elections and political parties. This week we will reflect on our overall role in steering our country on the right path.
Our newspapers tell us all too well about the many ills in Trinidad and Tobago society, such as the high rate of murder and other crimes, allegations of corruption, sickness, and inadequate access to proper health care. Can we as Catholics in our everyday lives make any difference to our society or in any way assist in addressing these ills, which seem beyond our individual and sometimes collective capacity to address?
Elections and party politics are very much in the air in Trinidad and Tobago. The Tobago elections were held in January of this year, the Chaguanas West by-election took place last month and the country is heading towards Local Government elections. There are varying reactions to the politically charged environment. Many persons wish they did not have to hear, watch or be in any way affected by the political activities and actually prefer to watch a good movie as opposed to a political rally. Others ensure they are directly in front of the television or have a radio close at hand to hear every word. Then there are those who ordinarily are not very interested but feel the need to be sufficiently aware so that they can at least contribute to one of the many heated conversations they are likely to fall into.
The world is round so that friendship may encircle it (Pierre Teilhard de Chardin).
On April 27, 2011, the UN declared July 30 as the International Day of Friendship (IDF), recognising “the relevance and importance of friendship as a noble and valuable sentiment in the lives of human beings around the world”. In a world plagued by the negative effects of individualism, many yearn for the love and solidarity that friendship can bring.
On July 16, members of staff at Archbishop’s House gathered together to celebrate the 45th anniversary of ordination of Archbishop Joseph Harris (July 14) and the 22ndanniversary of ordination of Auxiliary Bishop-elect Msgr Robert Llanos (June 23). We also congratulated Msgr Llanos on his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop in our Archdiocese. I share with you below an extract from my address to them at the gathering: